I’ve run into the same thing—brand new ductwork just dumping dryer exhaust into the attic. Drives me nuts. It’s like, you pay for “new” but still have to crawl around with a flashlight and check every vent. Incense trick is underrated, honestly. I wish code enforcement was stricter on this stuff, but at the end of the day, a little personal diligence saves a lot of headaches down the line.
- Totally agree, it’s wild how often “new” doesn’t mean “done right.”
- I’ve seen the same thing with bathroom fans too—just venting straight into the attic. That moisture’s a mold party waiting to happen.
- Incense or even a cheap smoke pen has saved me so much hassle. I wish more people knew about that trick.
- Honestly, sometimes I wonder if builders just assume nobody will check? Or maybe they’re rushing to finish and skip the last steps.
- I get that code enforcement can’t catch everything, but you’d think venting would be basic.
- On the green side, improper venting totally kills attic insulation and can wreck roof sheathing over time. It’s not just about air quality—it’s long-term damage.
- Curious if anyone here has had luck getting builders to fix these issues after closing? Or is it always a DIY fix?
- Makes me think: are there other “hidden” ventilation shortcuts we should be looking for in new builds?
On the green side, improper venting totally kills attic insulation and can wreck roof sheathing over time. It’s not just about air quality—it’s long-term damage.
Nailed it. I’ve seen roof decks rot out in under 10 years because of this. Once moisture gets trapped, especially after a storm, you’re just asking for trouble—mold, sagging, even ice dams in colder areas. Another shortcut I run into is range hoods just dumping air into wall cavities. Not as obvious as an attic vent but still a mess. Builders rarely come back to fix it unless you catch it before closing... after that, it’s usually on you.
Couldn’t agree more about the long-term damage from bad venting. I’m in the northeast, and the number of roofs I’ve seen with decking that’s basically compost after a decade is wild. It’s like people think “out of sight, out of mind” works for moisture. The kicker is, you can pour money into fancy insulation or solar panels, but if you skip proper airflow, you’re just setting a timer for expensive repairs.
I’ll add—some of the so-called “energy efficient” builds are actually worse for this. Builders seal everything up tight, but then skimp on venting or don’t bother with baffles. I get the push for airtight homes, but you can’t just ignore physics. Moisture’s going to find its way in, and if it can’t escape, you get rot, mold, and all the headaches that come with those.
The range hood thing bugs me too. Saw one last year where the vent just dumped into the attic... grease stains all over the rafters. The homeowner had no clue until they started smelling something funky every time it rained. It’s not just gross—it shortens the life of your insulation and wood, and good luck getting a builder to own up to it after you’ve signed off.
One thing I’ll push back on a bit: sometimes it’s not just the builder’s fault. I’ve seen homeowners block soffit vents with insulation after the fact, thinking they’re “sealing drafts.” Or pile up storage in the attic and crush the vent chutes. It’s a two-way street—if you’re living in the house, you gotta keep an eye on this stuff too.
Anyway, bottom line for me: proper venting isn’t optional. It’s just as important as the shingles or the flashing. Ignore it, and you’re basically budgeting for a new roof way sooner than you should.
- Gotta say, sometimes venting gets blamed when the real issue is poor overall roof design or cheap materials.
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I’d argue flashing is still more critical—seen plenty of "well-vented" roofs fail from bad flashing in a single season.“proper venting isn’t optional. It’s just as important as the shingles or the flashing.”
- Also, in some newer builds with spray foam, traditional venting isn’t even part of the equation. That can work, but only if it’s done right and the foam actually seals.
- Not everyone needs to obsess over venting if the rest of the system is solid, but you definitely can’t ignore it completely.
- Bottom line, there’s no one-size-fits-all—region, materials, and build style all play a role.
